The 14-day-old strike by Houston Symphony musicians -- and the years of financial distress and rocky contract negotiations behind it -- is taking a major toll. An orchestra that on average has lost fewer than two members annually, according to players, is now poised to have its musical heart ripped out.

Four players have new jobs at other major American orchestras. Several more say they intend to leave the Houston Symphony to pursue other musical or nonmusical careers. Some are in the process of auditioning elsewhere. Two are retiring.

And, in a dramatic move, Rice University's Shepherd School of Music reportedly is offering full-time faculty jobs to three principal players who currently are part-time instructors there. If they accept, their schedules and Rice regulations will no longer permit them to play regularly for the Houston Symphony.

Kamins said he leaves the symphony "with a heavy heart" after 22 years as principal bassoonist. Principal horn William Ver Meulen declined to comment on the reported Rice offer, as did principal oboist Robert Atherholt and Anne Schnoebelen, interim dean of the Shepherd School.

The Houston Symphony, which had been playing without a contract since Oct. 5, went on strike March 9 after management imposed its "best and final" contract offer. It included an 8.8-percent cut in the minimum salary and a plan to temporarily reduce the 97-member orchestra by five positions.

Most musicians blame the contract proposal and the uncertainty it creates about the orchestra's future for their changing plans.

"The last thing I really want to do is leave the Houston Symphony," said Ver Meulen, "but I can't remain in an orchestra where the board of directors is bent on turning it into a Triple-A farm club."

"We deeply regret these departures," said Jeffrey B. Early, president of the Houston Symphony Society, which operates the orchestra. "However, the society is determined to resolve the contract negotiations. The many musicians who are going to remain will be important partners going forward."

Officially, the orchestra has been notified of two retirements and granted three leaves of absence, said its general manager, Jeff Woodruff.

Musicians in major symphonies have strong job protection once they achieve tenure, which normally kicks in after the second year with an orchestra. Under the Houston Symphony's old contract, members could request one-year unpaid leaves of absence after five consecutive seasons in the orchestra. Players typically use them to test out jobs with other ensembles.

Brubaker, who joined the orchestra in August 2001, was a student at the Shepherd School in 1997 when the orchestra nearly went on strike. As a substitute, he played the last concert before the midnight strike deadline.

After the current negotiations began to worsen, "I thought I didn't want to be in an orchestra where it's like that every contract negotiation.

"You look at other orchestras and they get it done. I decided then and there to get out and take every audition I could."

Associate principal bassist Malone, who was born in Houston and joined the orchestra on New Year's Eve 1977 while a student at Rice, is exploring other career options.

"I've been playing in the symphony for 25 years and nothing seems to have changed."

If there is a quick settlement to the strike, Malone said he'll probably go back to work.

"But I don't see the mentality of the board changing. So I'll probably leave (the city) as soon as I can put something together. I'm real frustrated here."

Elliott is leaving for similar reasons. "I'm discouraged -- and that's a diplomatic word -- about the prospects for the support of the symphony here."

Elliott joined the Houston Symphony in June 1968 after studying at the University of Houston. In 1974-75, he used a leave of absence to go to San Francisco. He moved there permanently in 1976 after the Houston Symphony was locked out in its last major labor dispute. He rejoined the Houston Symphony in 1986.

Now he's selling his house and moving back to the Bay Area.

"The prospects of freelancing in San Francisco are infinitely more inviting than the prospects of staying here.

"The previous time there, I existed on freelancing with a home, a family, two cars and sent my son to private school for 10 years. It was a comfortable existence and I enjoyed it. I know I can do that again."

The turnover in Houston in recent years has been unusually light for a major orchestra, Woodruff said. One cause may be the strong bond among the musicians.

"I couldn't ask to play in a better flute section," Dine said. "We have worked well together. I'll miss playing in the orchestra."